Sent-off Mike Williamson’s statement to Newcastle fans in full

Miles Starforth

MIKE Williamson has issued a statement in the wake of his dismissal against Leicester City.

The Newcastle United defender was sent off for two bookable offences in the relegation-threatened club’s 3-0 defeat at the King Power Stadium yesterday, and will be suspended for the next two games.

After the match, head coach John Carver claimed that Williamson, in his view, had picked up his second booking “on purpose”.

However, Williamson, though his representatives has denied intentionally getting sent off.

But the long-serving player apologised to the supporters and his team-mates.

The statement read: “I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to the Newcastle United supporters and my fellow team-mates for getting sent off during yesterday’s game.

“There was absolutely no intent to hurt Jamie (Vardy) or get sent off, but I recognise that I should have been more composed and measured in my determination to win the ball. Unfortunately, it did the one thing that I never wanted to do, and that was to hurt the team.

“Moving forward, I will do whatever I can to help my team-mates prepare for the next two games and fight to get back into the team when I’m next available.

“I’ve had the honour to play for Newcastle United for five years now, and I can genuinely say that I feel privileged to play for this football club. I would never do anything intentionally to hurt the team or its supporters.”